Featured Image: Burnt black trees stand in the sunshine after being razed by the fire that swept across Creek County, burning more than 50,000 acres and 400 structures.
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Remember the fire that swept through creek county in 2012? More than 50,000 acres burned, many homes lost, and property damage totaling over $1 million.
Hard to forget a fire like that.
Though a suspect had been named and charged, he was never caught.
Until today.
Billy Cloud, of Bristow, the man believed to be responsible for starting the fire, had eluded county police for years, while the rest of those affected just tried their best to get on with their life. He was apprehended as part of a “warrant sweep” performed by the Creek County Sheriff’s Department, which began on April 26th.
In a public statement released April 28th, officials stated that “During this effort 24 subjects were arrested and multiple warrants were cleared,” adding that “The highlight of this sweep was the arrest of Billy Cloud who is a suspect in the 2012 arson in the area of the junction of Highway 33 and 48.”
For more information and photos from the damage, see Tulsa World’s report on the story.
The full statement is posted below:
04-28-2016
For Immediate release
Subject: Creek County Warrant Sweep
Starting on April 26 and concluding on April 28th 2016 Members of the Northern Oklahoma Violent Crimes Task Force and Deputies from the Creek County Sheriff’s Office conducted a warrant sweep in Creek County.
During this effort 24 subjects were arrested and multiple warrants were cleared.
The highlight of this sweep was the arrest of Billy Cloud who is a suspect in the 2012 arson in the area of the junction of Highway 33 and 48.
This fire consumed over 400 structures, approximately 50,000 acres of land and displaced numerus Creek County residents.
Mr. Cloud told Investigators he fled the area soon afterwards and spent time in the Tulsa area and in Oklahoma City before finally returning to Creek County.
The following subjects were arrested during this operation.
Jennifer Alverson $70,000 Robbery and Malicious Injury to Property.
Thomas Arnett $10,000 Assault and Battery with a Weapon.
Elliott Bigpond $50,704 UUMV.
David Blevins $11,000 Poss. Of CDS.
April Bridgewater $10,000 Grand Larceny.
David Bullard $15,053.01 Child Support.
Austin Carter $200,000 Poss. Of CDS.
Billy Cloud $40,000 Arson.
Crystal Cross $10,000 Burglary.
Jeremiah Gibbs $50,000 Mental Health Warrant.
Leila Hicks Okfuskee County Hold.
Brandi Hudgins $300,000 Burglary and Grand Larceny.
Lucinda Maines $10,000 Assault and Battery of a P.O.
Roy McLindon $636.56 Grand Larceny.
Donald Miller $3,993.82 Assault and Battery with a Weapon.
James Miller $22,394.70 Conspiracy To MFG.
Lora Parker $1393.23 DUS and other traffic.
Pam Reynolds $41,599.78 Divorce, MFG, Dist. CDS.
Troy Slape $20,000 Larceny of Auto, KCSP.
Timothy Smith $6,804.17 Domestic, Child Abuse.
Nanette Treloar $20,000 Poss. Of CDS.
Garland Turner $20,000 Domestic Assault and Battery.
Billy Ussery $11,000 Domestic Assault and Battery, CDS.
Chase Williams $19,579.00 Child Support.
